IRENA welcomes the “Renewables Club”

Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates | June 4, 2013

On the occasion of the World Environment Day on 1 June 2013, a Renewables Club was launched in Berlin, Germany. IRENA Director-General Mr. Adnan Z. Amin joined Peter Altmaier, Minister of Environment of Germany, and Ministers and high-level representatives from China, Denmark, France, India, Morocco, South Africa, Tonga, the United Arab Emirates, and the United Kingdom, to formally launch the Club and discuss its activities in the coming months.

Initiated by Minister Altmaier, the Renewables Club is a high-level political alliance aimed at promoting renewable energy, with a view to scale up renewable energy deployment as an essential element of a sustainable and more prosperous future.

“We are determined to work together as advocates and implementers of renewable energy at the global level,” said Altmaier. “We in Germany do not stand alone with our Energiewende, but are a part of a strong group of leaders.” He further said that, “IRENA has made remarkable progress in advancing the renewables agenda, and the Renewables Club will work in support of IRENA‘s objectives and programmes”.

The founding members of the Renewables Club represent a wide range of countries at different stages of development, but who are all with a common background of being at the forefront of accelerating the deployment and promotion of renewables. IRENA Director-General said that, “Achieving IRENA’s mission – accelerating the deployment of renewable energy worldwide – will only be possible with the full ownership and support of countries. IRENA’s membership has shown a remarkable level of engagement and conviction in pursuing this mission. The creation of the Renewables Club reflects this trend, and we welcome this initiative and look forward to taking an active part in its activities.”

The Club members released a communique outlining the underlining principles and aims of the alliance. The next Renewables Club meeting will be hosted by the United Arab Emirates in the margins of the fourth session of the IRENA Assembly in January 2014.

The International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA) is mandated as the global hub for renewable energy cooperation and information exchange by 111 Members (110 States and the European Union). Over 49 additional countries are in the accession process and actively engaged. Formally established in 2011, IRENA is the first global intergovernmental organisation to be headquartered in the Middle East.

IRENA supports countries in their transition to a sustainable energy future, and serves as the principal platform for international cooperation, a centre of excellence, and a repository of policy, technology, resource and financial knowledge on renewable energy. IRENA promotes the widespread adoption and sustainable use of all forms of renewable energy, including bioenergy, geothermal, hydropower, ocean, solar and wind energy in the pursuit of sustainable development, energy access, energy security and low-carbon economic growth and prosperity.